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 Posted - December 07 2009 : 11:32:10 PM
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What do you guys use for roadbed & why?
I'm thinking of using either cork, or the foam roadbed. I like the idea of the foam absorbing a lot of noise. I think it would dry rott & crumble with a little time though. how well does the cork work at killing unwanted noise? do you glue the track onto the roadbed, or nail it down?
jerry
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Posted - December 08 2009 : 12:12:06 AM
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I have always used cork. As far as sound is concerned I live near a mainline, and it is not quiet.
Mike
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Posted - December 08 2009 : 12:14:19 AM
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I've used cork and nails since the first time I nailed any track down. Probably lots better stuff out there, and I'd love to get some of the pre-made stuff eventually. Always wanted one of those Life-Like foam layouts since I was little.
My two cents is worth just about that here - I am still not up to pro speed as far as that goes. I don't care if I've got track just nailed to a board, I'm happy.
Rus
Starting my Tyco and other favorites collection over again after 37 years.
My still in progress list of inventory and wantlist: tyconut.com
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Posted - December 08 2009 : 12:30:12 AM
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| If you sprint to your local Borders book store, you might be able to find a leftover copy of a special edition issue of model railroader that came out. It was focused entirely on trackwork, turnouts, & roadbed. They did a huge (but somewhat subjective) roadbed test and gave the pros & cons. I remember the quietest ones were all two piece road beds like a homasote base with the top being cork, foam, etc. That said on my old layout from years ago we just used cork and it worked perfect. When I build another I think it will be just cork for the most part.
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Posted - December 08 2009 : 12:40:31 PM
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| Under normal, indoor conditions, the construction grade foam board will not dry rot and crumble. The bead foam WILL crumble readily so don't use it.
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Posted - December 08 2009 : 7:27:19 PM
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| I used the black foam stuff (by Woodland Scenics I think). It worked fine for me. I used plain white glue rather than the special stuff they sell for it. The glue pretty much hardened it, so I'm not sure how much vibration/noise it absorbs now, but I haven't had any track problems so it's definitely working.
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Posted - December 08 2009 : 8:02:04 PM
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| I prefer cork, I like the look of it in progress and that it can hold its own waiting for scenery.
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Posted - December 09 2009 : 4:20:16 PM
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When I built the STC, I used the "AMI Instant Roadbed" - the same product used in the MR layout I based it on. Plus I had seen/used cork before and was familiar with it, thought I would try something else.
It worked OK and I'm pleased enough with it, but it's not easy to find and probably not worth the effort to do so. One roll did almost the entire layout, but I was disappointed with the tackiness... track sticks well but ballast doesn't... but dust would. So it's one of those "if you're going to cover it anyway... what's the point?" deals. But it is quiet.
Before going the AMI route I did try the Woodland Scenics foam stuff. It was garbage! If you attempt to nail your track through the roadbed and into the substrate, the foam compresses and/or the track distorts. Which means your other option is to glue the track to the foam, thus having to deal with mess between the ties, or the glue eating the foam, or the foam absorbing the glue and turning hard when it dries, which totally defeats the purpose. One of the worst products in terms of "not fulfilling its alleged purpose" that I have ever bought... I honestly felt stupid afterwards for not thinking it through before purchase. I probably still have a bunch of it left over somewhere.
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Posted - December 09 2009 : 5:36:58 PM
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GIC, that was what i was affraid of about of using the foam. it just makes sense that it would distort the track if nailed down. i'm probably going to use cork & just glue everything down with a 50/50 mix of white glue.
jerry
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